National Eclipse

ECLIPSE OVERVIEW

The centerline of the eclipse enters the U.S. in Oregon at approximately 8:05am PDT, with annularity beginning in that location at about 9:15am PDT.

When it first touches U.S. soil on the coast of Oregon on Saturday morning, having been born out in the Pacific Ocean only about 5 minutes earlier, the eclipse will be very low in the sky. At only about five degrees above the horizon at the start of the partial phase and about 17 degrees during annularity, observers will need to find a location free of tall buildings, trees, and terrain in the direction of the Sun. Oregon's beaches will likely be a popular gathering spot within the 137-mile-wide path of annularity, but remember that the Sun will be rising in the east, not over the water. The maritime climate along the coast could also produce morning clouds and fog that might obscure the view.

Better weather might be found farther inland in the valleys beyond the Coast Range, but even there morning fog might be a problem and the Cascades to the east might obstruct a view of the rising Sun. Eugene is located between the centerline and the eastern limit of the eclipse path, with annularity lasting for about 3 minutes and 55 seconds in the downtown area. Interstate 5 crosses the entire width of the eclipse path between the Coast Range and the Cascades. Although Portland and Salem aren't located within the path of annularity, they're close enough to serve as convenient basecamps for viewing spots farther south along I-5.

The stunning Crater Lake National Park might be an appropriate place to view an eclipse (craters...Moon...get it?) and it's located relatively close to the centerline. If you decide to view the eclipse from here or anywhere else in the cloud-prone Cascades, make sure to check short-term weather forecasts in the days before the eclipse. Keep in mind, also, that it snows here in October.

Beyond the Cascades, the path of annularity descends down into Oregon's high desert, which promises a relatively good possibility of favorable eclipse-watching weather. Klamath Falls is located between the centerline and the western edge of the eclipse path, with annularity lasting for about 3 minutes and 23 seconds in the downtown area.

The centerline of the eclipse exits the state at approximately 10:44am PDT, with annularity coming to an end in that location at about 9:23am PDT. From the Pacific Ocean to the Oregon-Nevada border, the Moon's shadow travels approximately 276 miles along the centerline in 3 minutes and 18 seconds at an average speed of 5,025 miles per hour.